A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1593: Thank You, Kela

Archer finished slaughtering the last tiger monsters just as a lone one lunged at him, but a red blur appeared, and the beast turned into meat chunks that crashed into the ground. It happened all too fast, surprising him even more. He watched Ravena land in front of him, a wide grin stretching across her face.

ʼʼThese things are nothing to me,ʼʼ she bragged.

Freya bonked her on the head, warning. ʼʼOnly because theyʼre scared of Papa, otherwise you wouldʼve had a tough fight on your hands, Rav.ʼʼ

The redhead turned to her older sister and huffed. ʼʼWell, itʼs dead and we can move forward now that the tentʼs destroyed,ʼʼ she retorted. ʼʼBut weʼll get wet and Kela will get ill again.ʼʼ

Archer chuckled at this and waved his hand, repairing the tent just as thunder boomed overhead. ʼʼCome on, girls, letʼs get back inside and get moving in the morning. My body still hurts, and using more magic didnʼt help.ʼʼ

Following that, the four entered their safe place during the storm as Kela turned to him, a curious expression appeared. ʼʼWould you like some breakfast? I can cook thanks to you,ʼʼ she said, smiling.

ʼʼI taught you?ʼʼ

The grey-skinned girl nodded and revealed. ʼʼYes. It took some time, but I learned. You were helpful during it all.ʼʼ

ʼʼAlright, Iʼll go rest while you cook,ʼʼ he said, a proud smile on his face.

Archer sat down, closing his eyes as Freya started a fire and Ravena bounced between her two sisters, teasing them. She was chased out of the kitchen by a serious-looking Kela, chasing the redhead with a pan while she giggled. This caused his eyes to widen; he remembered Sera doing the same thing to the other women.

ʼTheyʼre younger versions of their mothers,ʼ he thought, smile growing wider. ʼJust slightly different. Freya is serious but more confident then Sia, Kela is outspoken, and gets on with her sisters while Ravena has Seraʼs feiry spirit.ʼ

His heart warmed by the sight of his daughtersʼ playful antics, their laughter filling the air. The weight of the day slowly melted away as he watched them, their carefree silliness a reminder of the simple pleasures in life. Exhaustion eventually crept in, and his eyelids grew heavy, lulling him into a gentle slumber on the cozy couch.

Some time later, a soft, sweet voice pierced through the haze of his dreams. ʼʼPapa, your food is ready,ʼʼ it whispered.

He stirred, blinking slowly as his eyes adjusted to the dim glow of the tents living room. There stood Kela, her face beaming with a bright smile that could light up the darkest of nights. In her small hands, she carefully balanced a plate. On it sat two perfectly crafted burgers, their aroma wafting up to greet him, promising a homemade delight.

Archer sat up, a wave of surprise and gratitude washing over him. He reached out to take the plate. ʼʼThank you, Kela,ʼʼ he said warmly, his voice thick with appreciation. ʼʼThese smell delicious, sweetheart.ʼʼ

He marveled at her effort, the care sheʼd put into making something special just for him, and in that moment, the simple act felt like the greatest gift of all. Archer began eating only to realize that the future him must have taught her how to cook Earth food, his eyes widened as the burgers were amazing.

Moments later, he wolfed them both down as Kela giggled. ʼʼWant more?ʼʼ

Archer nodded. ʼʼYes, please,ʼʼ he said, taking out some dragon ale and starting to drink.

Following that, the grey-skinned grey rushed off and returned with more burgers. ʼʼHere you go, I knew youʼd eat loads, so I made even more,ʼʼ she explained.

ʼʼThank you, Kela,ʼʼ he said between bites.

This made Freya and Ravena laugh as thunder boomed overhead; the little bit of light coming into the tent was snuffed out. Archer got up, approached the window only to see pitch black clouds covering the sky. He finished the last burger before creating a violet barrier around the tent while summoning even more Broodmaws.

When the trio saw this, they grew concerned as Freya questioned. ʼʼWhatʼs going on, father?ʼʼ

ʼʼWeʼll be attacked tonight,ʼʼ he muttered. ʼʼCreatures of the night are rushing toward the mountain weʼre on, driven by the Terravians.ʼʼ

ʼʼHow do you know this?ʼʼ Ravena asked, an excited expression appearing on her face.

ʼʼI sent out Mana Birds before eating, and they spotted the horde of creatures,ʼʼ he revealed. ʼʼI bombed as many as I could, but the swarm was endless.ʼʼ

Just as those words left his lips, creepy wolves circled the shield only to be hit with a Mana Blast, the searing projectile cut the beast in two. More spells flew out of him, slamming into every enemy around them. Archer summoned thousands of Broodmaws that washed out of the Domain.

Their large scythe impaling the wolves who tried to flee, but it was too late as Venomwings swooped down and killed even more. When the girls saw this ,their eyes lit up as Ravena spoke, amazed. ʼʼItʼs the Monster Army! Theyʼve been hiding in the Domain, hardly ever appearing thanks to there being no wars.ʼʼ

The others agreed, catching Archerʼs attention, but he didnʼt say anything, though. He turned back to the fighting as the Broodmaw Guardians tore through the Terravian monsters. At the same time, the Venomwings swooped down, swarming the stronger creatures. Their large stingers and pincers rip through flesh.

ʼʼLooks like my army will beat them back,ʼʼ he mumbled. ʼʼBut the swarm is coming from the north.ʼʼ

Following that, Archer turned to his daughters and finally spoke. ʼʼTheyʼre coming from north, I bet the enemy god will be lurking there.ʼʼ

Freya nodded. ʼʼYes, I can feel their horrible mana coming from that way,ʼʼ she said, a serious expression crossing her face.ʼʼ

ʼʼLetʼs wait out this storm and head there.ʼʼ

Afterward, the four waited until the weather calmed down, and when it did, he summoned a massive flying Nightmare Ant. They climbed on its back, the girls were fascinated and loved riding their mothersʼ monsters. Ravena glanced around. ʼʼMama Vivienne loves taking us on these things. She even built a saddle for most of us to fit just like this one.ʼʼ

As they soared higher, the antʼs powerful wings cutting through the crisp air, Archerʼs gaze drifted beyond his daughterʼs delighted faces to the horizon. The vibrant hues of their familiar world began to fade, replaced by a scene that sent a chill down his spine. Below them stretched a strange, desolate landscape.

This new world was a haunting picture of ruin and decay, its emptiness pressing against the edges of their senses. Crumbling structures dotted the barren terrain, their remains jutting out like the bones of a forgotten civilization. Once-grand towers broken, their stone fronts eroded by time.

Shattered roads wound aimlessly through fields of dust. The sky above was a dull gray, heavy with an stillness that swallowed sound and light alike. No birds sang, no winds whispered, only an eerie silence hung over the desolate expanse, broken occasionally by the faint hum of the Nightmare Antʼs wings.

Ravena, still clutching the saddle, tilted her head curiously. ʼʼPapa, where are we?ʼʼ she asked, her voice small against the vast, empty world below.

Her earlier excitement dimmed as she, too, took in the bleak scenery, her sharp red eyes scanning the ruins with a mix of wonder and unease. ʼʼIt looks broken,ʼʼ she murmured, her words carrying a weight that mirrored his own thoughts.

Archer tightened his grip on the reins, guiding the Nightmare Ant to circle lower, its shadow rippling over the cracked earth. The air here felt heavy, tinged with a faint metallic tang, as if the land itself mourned its own decay. Archerʼs eyes, sharp and vigilant, scanned the ruined world as he guided the creature through the heavy, silent air.

His daughters clung to the saddle, their earlier excitement tempered by the eerie stillness of this forsaken place. Kela gripped his sleeve, while Ravenaʼs gaze darted across the horizon, searching for anything familiar in the sea of decay. Then, piercing the monotonous gray of the sky, a colossal shape loomed in the distance.

Archerʼs breath caught as he squinted against the dim light, his heart quickening at the sight of a massive mountain rising like a solitary sentinel from the barren wasteland. Its jagged peaks clawed at the heavens, shrouded in a faint, unnatural mist that swirled around its slopes.

Unlike the crumbled ruins below, the mountain exuded an imposing aura, its dark, craggy surface untouched by the decay that had consumed the rest of the world. It stood as a monolith of mystery, both awe-inspiring and foreboding. Moments later, a vast darkness emerged from them.

The Nightmare Ant dived just as a portal opened and a swarm of Venomwings and flying ants appeared. Archer looked at the incoming darkness only to notice they were some kind of insectoid, much bigger than his own. The two forces slammed into each other as a battle erupted in the air.